Leura Gardens Resort to be first Australian hotel to introduce digital wallet key technology for seamless room access
Leura Gardens Resort to be first Australian hotel to introduce digital wallet key technology for seamless room access
Dr Jerry Schwartz’s Leura Gardens Resort in the NSW Blue Mountains will be the first hotel in Australia to launch digital wallet key technology, allowing guests seamless access to the hotel’s rooms and facilities with a tap of their phone.
This pioneering system provides guests with a convenient alternative to physical key cards, while still offering traditional options for those who prefer them.
Dr Schwartz has been trialling keyless technology for a number of years and will utilise cutting-edge door lock and software solutions developed by Vingcard – a leading innovator of advanced technologies tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry – at Leura Gardens Resort. With Vingcard’s cloud-based Vostio Access Management technology, the property is able to automatically generate digital wallet-compatible keys which are securely delivered to guest devices using advanced encryption.
The digitalised room keys are automatically activated once a guest checks into the hotel electronically and are ready to use as soon as their room becomes available, allowing guests to go straight to their rooms and access them with a tap of their phones.
The room key is stored in a wallet on any iOS or Android phone and is similar to technology that is used for concert or plane tickets.
The key works without needing to download or open any app, navigate to a special screen, or unlock the device. The same digital wallet-based key can also be used to access the hotel's facilities for even greater convenience. If guests choose to extend their stay, the key is automatically updated which sidesteps any need to visit the front desk.
While the technology has been used for hostels in Australia, Leura Gardens Resort is the first full-service hotel or resort to successfully introduce the technology.
Commenting on the introduction of the new digital wallet key technology, Dr Jerry Schwartz said it was ironic that a heritage property should be the first hotel in Australia to launch the innovation, and he was planning for other hotels in the Schwartz Family Company portfolio to follow the lead.
“This is all about enhancing the guest experience,” said Dr Schwartz.
“Some people will prefer to go to the front desk and check-in in person, but others want a more seamless experience. We are catering for both groups.
“Our guests will be able to use the technology without needing to use an additional app. Instead, arriving guests will receive their ‘room key’ by downloading it from their check-in confirmation email and adding it to the digital wallet on their smartphone.
"The hotel industry in Australia has been slow to adopt the technology, which is surprising given that we use our mobile phones to board planes and enter sports and concert venues. I’m convinced that entering a hotel room with a digital key on your phone will become another extension of that, and the innovation at Leura Gardens will become a template for the wider industry.”
“The technology is further supported by SmartStay, Liverton Group’s digital guest experience platform, which enables guests to verify their details and check-in before arrival, from anywhere and on their own device. The digital key can then be delivered directly to the guest's phone wallet, creating a simple and connected path from arrival to room access. And when it’s time go, a few taps on their phone initiate check-out, and the key is automatically deactivated.
“The result is less time spent queuing at reception and more time enjoying the stay."
“From a hotel industry perspective, by automating routine administrative tasks, hotel teams are freed to focus on the parts of hospitality that matter most: welcoming guests, providing local knowledge and delivering more personalised service throughout the stay.”
“Guests already expect to use their phone for almost everything. They pay with it, fly with it, access event tickets with it. Hospitality is moving in the same direction, and the experience needs to feel just as seamless.”
Vingcard is a leading provider of security access technology for the hospitality industry. With a mission to reimagine how people move through their world, Vingcard is committed to ensuring a safe and seamless hotel experience by adapting its technology to conform to the market’s newest challenges. Company solutions include advanced electronic RFID locks and safes, contactless Mobile Access, location-based staff safety technology and cloud-based access management software.
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